President Yoon Suk Yeol will make a six-day visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar amid escalating volatility in the Middle East in the wake of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
With the U.S.-backed plans to normalize ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia believed to be the fundamental reason behind the war, Riyadh is signaling a return to the Arab world. This will likely test Yoon’s diplomacy, as he will have to carefully balance the political value of solidarity with Israel and Western countries against the lucrative economic projects that Korea has on the table with Saudi Arabia.
According to First Deputy Director of National Security Kim Tae-hyo, Thursday, Yoon will arrive in Riyadh on Saturday for a six-day state visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It is the first time for a Korean president to make a state visit to the countries.
During his stay, Yoon will meet Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discuss ways to bolster bilateral ties and economic partnerships. During their meeting, Kim said the leaders are anticipated to exchange opinions on the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, given the conflict between Israel and Hamas is escalating.
“The Korean government has grave concerns about the increasing civilian death toll, and it will provide support for civilians in Palestine under a purely humanitarian purpose,” Kim said. “Through Yoon’s visit, we are seeking to discuss ways for cooperation to promote peace in the Middle East and strengthen our national security.”
Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Thursday it will provide $2 million (2.7 billion won) in humanitarian aid to help civilians in Israel and Palestine.
“Given the regional volatility, Yoon’s talks will likely focus on finding the common ground for practical cooperation (with Saudi Arabia) against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical complexity,” a senior official at the presidential office said. “While exploring Korea’s humanitarian support in the ongoing conflict, we will take a comprehensive review on how to build future-oriented relations with Middle Eastern nations.”
After Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, Yoon met with a six-member U.S. bipartisan Senate delegation in Seoul on Oct. 11 and “condemned Hamas’ indiscriminate attacks on Israel,” according to a statement released by Yoon’s office. The statement did not mention whether Yoon has expressed Korea’s support of Israel, similar to the U.S. and other Western countries.
Amid this complexity, Yoon has to seek ways to renew economic partnerships with Saudi Arabia amid the kingdom’s efforts to prepare for the post-oil era.
“As Middle Eastern countries prepare for the post-oil era, it is time for us to renew our partnerships with them,” senior presidential secretary for economic affairs Choi Sang-mok said. “And Korea, which has technological capabilities and industrial progress, is a suitable partner for them. The visit will serve as an important opportunity to expand Seoul’s economic partnerships with the Middle East … electric vehicles, shipbuilding, smart farms, culture content and other future industries.”
